The West Temple Gateway Redevelopment Project Area, created by Salt Lake City last January to encourage commercial growth in the south downtown, grew slightly with City Council approval of an ordinance Tuesday.
Following a short public hearing, the council passed an ordinance creating a mixed-use transitional overlay zone in an area bordered by Eighth and Ninth South and West Temple and Third West.The zoning change is designed to provide for an efficient evolution from a currently residential area to a commercial district, City Planner Doug Dansie told the council.
"The long-term plan calls for commercial development in the area," he said, while ensuring "at the same time that it (the area) remains livable as long as they (residents) live there."
The area is "Phase 4" of the Gateway Redevelopment Plan adopted by the City Council in January, Dansie said. Paramount among developments in the area is the Rick Warner Auto Mall, he said.
Warner has reached an agreement with a final business owner who until now refused to sell property to the auto dealer, Dansie said. Sale of the property will enable Warner to proceed with his development plans in the area, he said.
Old zoning in the area allowed for some commercial development compatible with the some 60 residential homes in the area.
The Gateway Project calls for eventual street improvements between interstate exits at Ninth South and Sixth South and Third West and Main to promote commercial development.